Moulting

Pictured is a Metallic female (Achrioptera Fallax) moulting to adulthood.

Prior to moulting they will stop feeding and anchor their feet to a branch, leaf or mesh.

They will expand their bodies to enable them to break through their old skin and pull free.

Their bodies are much softer under their old skin. Once free they will hang for some time to dry and harden their new skin.

At the base of each limb are white strands, like safety lines, attached to the old skin to support their weight until the limbs have dried and are strong enough to support themselves.

After moulting they will need to harden their new skin fully for 12-24 hours.

Many stick insects will eat their old skin soon after moulting. This is recycling the nutrients that may be left in the old skin.

Moulting can be the biggest danger to any invertebrate, including stick insects, which are often kept communally so are at increased risk of being disturbed or dislodged.

Mismoulting

If they lose their grip and fall in the process of moulting HANG THEM BACK UP IMMEDIATELY!

Be careful how you handle them. Manoeuvre them with a piece of net fabric or cotton wool. Carefully place the feet hooks of the old skin to grip any surface they can hang from, or hold the back legs of the old skin until they are finished moulting and able to support themselves.

If antennae or limbs appear to be hampering the moulting process or are stuck in the old skin, use a wet cotton bud to help free them. Always push any stuck limb or antenna TOWARDS the body, not away, as they could easily be detached completely.

The picture is not of a mismoult. Amazingly, another metallic stick insect successfully moulted whilst anchored to the back of this one.

This picture highlights the risks of moulting in a communal set up. If this nymph had decided to wander through the bramble, the moulting piggy back rider would probably not have survived. Fortunately he stood still throughout the moult and while the other nymph ate half of it’s old skin.